Double grip handle

ABSTRACT

A handle is provided with two or more gripping regions, at least two of which are disposed laterally, and securable in spaced apart relationship with, one another. Such bifurcated grip configuration, permits an individual to easily switch hands during a carrying, dog-walking, or other like holding operation, and/or allows grasping by two hands.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/574,355 filed May 19, 2000 entitled DOUBLE GRIP HANDLE, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/037,578 filed Mar. 10, 1998 entitled DOUBLE GRIP HANDLE, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/040,429 filed Mar. 11, 1997 entitled DOUBLE GRIP HANDLE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a handle, and more particularly a handle structure providing double or multiple grips for permitting an individual to grasp each simultaneously or alternately.

[0003] Prior art handles are generally provided with a single gripping region to permit grasping thereof by one hand, such as when used to carry a suitcase or other handled object, and for other holding purposes, such as for use in conjunction with a animal leash.

[0004] Such prior art handles are made in various shapes and sizes, suited to the particular application. With such single grip handles, when the individual wishes to switch hands, he must overlap hands during the exchange from the hand holding the grip to the receiving hand. This may be difficult when the item is heavy, such as a packed suitcase, or may be cumbersome, such as for example when the individual is wearing heavy winter gloves. Furthermore, it is desirable, particularly when walking large animals, to be able to optionally restrain the animal using both hands.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a handle, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide a handle having structure defining at least two gripping regions suitably positioned with respect to one another to permit either facilitated changing of gripping hands, or alteratively allowing simultaneous grasping with both hands by an individual, or by more than one individual at one time.

[0007] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a handle suitable for use in diverse applications, such as for example on luggage, brief cases, dog leashes, etc., in a form which is compact and which may be produced economically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Briefly stated, there is provided a handle having two or more gripping regions, two of which are disposed laterally, and securable in spaced apart relationship with, one another. The handle, by virtue of such bifurcated grip configuration, permits an individual to easily switch hands during a carrying, dog-walking, or other like holding operation, and/or allowing grasping by two hands.

[0009] In an embodiment in accordance with the invention, a handle structure defines two gripping portions, fixedly spaced apart laterally during use, to permit grasping of both gripping regions either separately or simultaneously. Optionally, the two gripping portions can be brought together when so desired, and separated to the spaced apart configuration, in which use-oriented position they would be fixable with respect to one another. The gripping portions are conveniently attached to a common base portion by radially disposed support portions. The base portion is in turn attachable to an article which will apply a pulling force in a direction crosswise a longitudinal axis of each of the gripping portions.

[0010] The aforementioned double handle embodiment may be used generally for any purpose suited for use of a single grip handle, such as for providing a means for carrying luggage, or as a handle at the end of a dog leash. When adapted to use with luggage, the handle is receivable atop the piece of luggage, advantageously being pivotably mounted thereto at a base of the handle to permit arcuate motion of the gripping portions laterally with respect to their point of attachment to the luggage at the handle base portion. Alternatively, the handle embodiment may be used effectively in conjunction with a dog lead, for attachment at an end thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage handle embodiment in accordance with the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an end view of the luggage handle embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a leash handle embodiment in accordance with the invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the leash handle embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another leash handle embodiment in accordance with the invention;

[0016]FIG. 6a is a side view of a further embodiment directed to use as a leash handle in accordance with the invention;

[0017]FIG. 6b is an end view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6a;

[0018]FIG. 7a is a perspective operational view, depicting appropriate orientation to permit single hand operation; and

[0019]FIG. 7b is a perspective operational view, depicting appropriate orientation to permit double hand operation, rotated approximately 120° from the position shown in FIG. 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a luggage handle embodiment shown in perspective and end views, generally designated 10. A handle 10, of bifurcated shape, is comprised of two laterally positioned gripping portions 12 a and 12 b angularly fixed at an intersection of each at a common base portion 13, forming a generally V-shaped structure as shown in FIG. 2. As depicted, the longitudinal axes of both gripping regions are advantageously arranged in parallel fashion. Additionally, the base 13, i.e. that portion of handle 10 disposed at the point of the V-shape, is advantageously connected to a body portion of a piece of luggage 14 in a pivotable manner to allow the luggage 14, the particular gripping portion being held (12 a as depicted), and the base portion 13, to be oriented along a common vertical axis by operation of gravitational forces. The user holds one of the handle portions 12 a, and when he wishes to switch hands, merely swings the luggage 14 in front of his legs and grabs the other handle portion 12 b, letting go with the hand originally grasping gripping portion 12 a, once the receiving hand has sufficient hold of the other gripping region 12 b. Carrying by two persons walking abreast is also permitted, providing increased handling ease, especially for carrying of heavy items.

[0021]FIGS. 3 and 4 are directed to a leash-handle embodiment for attachment to an animal restraint, shown in plan and perspective views respectively. A bifurcated handle 20 includes two laterally positioned gripping portions 22 a and 22 b fixedly spaced apart, conveniently by attachment to one another at both ends of each to form a generally V-shaped configuration when viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 3. Means for pivotable attachment to a lead 24 are advantageously provided, conveniently in the form of a pivotable cross member 23 interconnecting the top and bottom end of each gripping portion 22 a and 22 b, and pivotably attached to handle 20 advantageously in a position proximate the point of the aforementioned V-shape, as shown in the figures. When lead 24 is connected to cross-member 23, handle 20 is thereby permitted to pivot with respect to a running direction of lead 24, distributing forces along a straight path through the particular gripping portion being held, i.e. 22 a as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 5 depicts an alternative leash-handle embodiment permitting accommodation of one, or several leads, if so desired. A bifurcated handle 30 includes two laterally positioned gripping portions 32 a and 32 b fixedly spaced apart. Gripping portions 32 a and 32 b are structurally joined at both ends of each to a common guide portion 33, the combination forming an encircled handle structure. One or more leads 34 (a pair being shown) are receivable on bifurcated handle 30, held thereto conveniently by clasps 35 carried on an end of each of leads 34 adapted to be slidably, pivotably and captively received on guide portion 33. By virtue of such slidable reception, handle 20 can accommodate up to several dogs, the bifurcated structure permitting the individual walking the dogs to easily switch hands, or to use both hands if necessary for better control, even with large animals. Guide portion 33 is advantageously of arcuate shape, to facilitate sliding of clasps 35 in response to movement of leads 34. By providing double grips, handle 30 may also assist two children to walk a large family dog, allowing each child to hold one of the handles.

[0023] Turning now to FIGS. 6a, 6 b, 7 a and 7 b, a leash-handle embodiment is shown which permits an individual the option of using either a single or double handle, as circumstances dictate. A handle 40 presents an encircling body structure, which is divided into three segments, the segments being advantageously of arcuate configuration, and respective ones also advantageously having an included angle α, α′ and α″ roughly equal to one another, therefore each having a value of approximately 120°. The first segment includes structure defining a single gripping portion 41. The second segment, attached at one end with single gripping portion 41, branches into a pair of laterally separated gripping portions 42 a and 42 b. At the other end of the second segment, laterally separated gripping portions 42 a and 42 b converge, and are connected to an end of the third segment. The third segment includes a guide portion 43, which is in turn attached to the single gripping portion 41 of the first segment, completing the encircling structure. As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7 b, one or more leads 44 (only one shown) are slidably and pivotably receivable on guide portion 43, conveniently by way of a removable clasp 45 carried on the end of lead 44. Clasp 45 is captively received on guide portion 43, permitting slidable and pivotable movement over the length of guide portion 43.

[0024] During use of handle 40, an individual may choose between one handed operation, or, when needed to control a large dog or many, two handed. FIG. 7a depicts the handle orientation for one handed operation. As shown, when pulling force is exerted on lead 44, an extension of lead axis A crosses single gripping portion 41 roughly at a midpoint thereof when clasp 45 is at the end of slidable travel along guide 43, permitting comfortable control by virtue of roughly perpendicular transfer of pulling forces into single gripping portion 41. Should two handed operation be needed, handle 40 is rotated 120° to the position shown in FIG. 7b. In this orientation, clasp 45 slides to the other end of its travel, in which position an extension of lead axis A crosses the second segment comprising laterally separated gripping portions 42 a and 42 b roughly at a point mid-center and perpendicular to a tangent thereto, between each of the two gripping portions 42 a and 42 b when held equally in two hands, thereby allowing firm, comfortable control of an animal or animals at the other end of lead 44. It is noted, that advantageously, the single gripping portion 41 and the laterally separated gripping portions 42 a and 42 b, are of larger diameter than guide portion 43, sufficiently so to prevent slidable movement of clasp 45 beyond either end of the third segment defined by the length of guide portion 43.

[0025] Materials of construction are not critical to the operation of any of the handle embodiments described herein. They may be fabricated from material presently used in the construction of single conventional handles. Alternatively, particularly for the immediately preceding embodiment, the handle in accordance with the invention may be conveniently injection molded utilizing sufficiently durable plastic. Furthermore, the various gripping regions disposed on the handles may be of smooth configuration as shown for example in FIG. 1, or may be provided with a scalloped grip structure as shown for example in FIG. 5. Such scalloped grip, advantageously disposed in a position facing the direction of the applied force, may be made of a softer material than the remaining support structure of the handle for greater handling comfort. It is further noted that the precise shape of the handle as well as the means by which a bifurcated handle structure provides a fixedly spaced apart pair of gripping portions is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0026] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is;
 1. In a handle for attachment to an article, wherein said article applies a pulling force against said handle, the improvement comprising: a pair of laterally disposed gripping portions securable in spaced apart relationship with one another to permit grasping by two hands both simultaneously and alternately. 